Roll Call Tribute

Michael Lee Lanning 

September 18, 1946 - April 2, 2024 

Michael Lee Lanning, 77, was born in Sweetwater, Texas, on September 18, 1946, and died at his home in Lampasas, Texas, on April 2, 2024. He was the son of James Maurice Lanning and Alice Pauline Coskey of Sylvester, Texas. Lanning attended Roby Schools for two years before transferring to Trent and then graduating from high school there in 1964. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University in 1968 and his Master of Science from East Texas State University— now Texas A&M-Commerce—in 1979.

Lanning served in the United States Army for twenty years before retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 1988. His military career included tours of duty throughout the United States, in Southeast Asia, and in Germany. In Vietnam, he led an infantry platoon, a reconnaissance platoon, and a rifle company. During his time in uniform, he earned a Senior Parachute Badge, Ranger Tab, and Combat Infantryman’s Badge. He was awarded the Bronze Star with “V” for Valor device and two oak leaf clusters.

Lanning is one of the bestselling authors of military history books in the country with 29 non-fiction titles published by major houses such as Random House to date and his final one slated for release in the fall. Some of these have been translated into as many as 10 different languages in 14 countries. More than 1.5 million of his books are in print and in audio or e-book format. A New York Times Book Review declared his book on his experiences as an infantry company commander to be “…one of the most honest and horrifying accounts of a combat soldier’s life to come out of the Vietnam War.” A selection of his books, objects, and manuscripts are archived in the Michael Lee Lanning Collection in Cushing Memorial Library on the Texas A&M campus.

Lanning is survived by his wife of 56 years Linda; his two daughters Reveilee Lanning and Meridith Lanning, both of Lampasas; and his three grandchildren Allyanna Corcoran and David and Michael Neary as well as his brother Jim and sister-in-law Judy of San Marcos, Texas.

A memorial service commemorating his life will be held at the All Faiths Chapel on the A&M campus on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.